Tag Archives: Georgia

Katie Williams, Executive Director of Visit Athens (Georgia)

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Rick talks about everything Athens, Ga. today with Katie Williams, Executive Director of Visit Athens.

Sports, along with creativity and the artsy vibe of Athens, Georgia are what make the Classic City stand out to visitors and locals alike. From potters and painters to jewelry makers and local artisans, the many artists in Athens make the city a flourishing hub for the creative and curious today. Add in the restaurants, the University of Georgia and a new arena, and you have a great destination that is close to Atlanta.

Katie serves as Executive Director of Visit Athens, the official destination marketing organization charged with promoting Athens for tourism, groups, and meetings. Williams is passionate about the role of tourism in economic development, and strongly believes that community collaboration is the key to success.

From 2009 – 2020, Williams served as the founding Executive Director of Discover Dunwoody, the destination marketing organization for Dunwoody, Ga. She began her tourism career in 2008 in Thomasville, Ga., where a piece of her heart still resides among the roses.

Hailing from Roswell, Ga., Williams attended the University of Georgia, receiving a degree in Public Relations. Williams is certified as a Travel Marketing Professional by Southeast Tourism Society. She is Past-President of the Board of Directors for the Georgia Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus. In 2021, Williams was named an Athens-area Gamechanger.

In addition to her day job, Williams is a wife and mom to three children.

Rodrigo Blankenship, University of Georgia Kicker 2019 Lou Groza Award Winner

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Another “Tech of Sports” this week. Rick is joined by University of Georgia Kicker, Rodrigo Blankenship.

Blankenship just was named the winner of the 2019 Lou Groza Award as the nation’s best kicker.

He talks to Rick about his kicking philosophy, technology he uses and NFL kickers he admires.

As a senior, Blankenship connected on 25 of his 31 field goal attempts, while also making all 44 of his extra points. Blankenship has not missed a single extra point in his Georgia career.

In addition to placekicking duties, Blankenship has also handled kickoff duties for Georgia. He finished ninth in the country in touchback percentage this year, as 60 of his 79 kickoff attempts were not returned.

This is the latest in a long list of accolades for Blankenship this season, as he was named the SEC’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year as well as First Team All-SEC for his position.

Related: Andrew Thomas, Rodrigo Blankenship earn SEC Player of the Year honors

Blankenship is the first Georgia kicker to win the award and the third SEC kicker to do so, with the last coming in 2003. Randy Bullock of Texas A&M won it in 2003, but the Aggies were still Big 12 members at that point in time.

Good luck to Rodrigo.